Things that Go Bump in the Night

by BA Tortuga

  “I got this.” He was a little dazed, but that cock was too tempting not to suck again. His lips met Tanner’s fingers, up and down.

  “Oh….” Tanner moaned for him, bucked and rolled under him, so pretty. That body was lean, skin flushed. Tanner tasted so salty, a little bitter, but just like home.

  He cupped Tanner’s ass, pulled the man in deep, swallowing as Tanner howled for him. That was it. He still had it. He sucked, licking the tip of Tanner’s cock once it was spent. Tanner made the best little sounds—a cross between yelps and moans—one for each lick.

  Stirling finally rested his head on Tanner’s hip, breathing deep. Yum. Fingers brushed through his hair, the touch soft, almost a tickle.

  “Better, man?” Stirling knew he was feeling like a million bucks. Hopefully Tanner was feeling at least half a million.

  “Uh-huh. Vastly better.” For the first time, Tanner sounded at peace.

  “Good.” He knew it was a hormone thing. Stirling didn’t have any illusions that they had solved anything, but yeah.

  Sometimes hormones were enough.

  TANNER WOKE up ravenous and alone and still naked. He was naked a lot. It wasn’t so bad, really, except for the promise of snow. That was new.

  He headed for the kitchen, ate a half-dozen peanut butter sandwiches, drank a gallon of milk, and then headed outside, halfway to the tree line before he realized he’d gone fuzzy again. Oh. His nose quivered, taking in the scents of air and pine and woodsmoke.

  He headed for the trees, marking, running. Panting. He could smell Stirling, the scent not human, not at all. Someone else was making the rounds.

  Nose to the ground, he tracked the scent, curious and not scared for the first time in forever. Something about knowing that Stirling was out there too gave him confidence. The scent grew stronger on a little downhill path cut into the side of the hill, and he headed down.

  The ground was cold this morning, and there would be snow, his nose insisted. Sooner than later. That was good. It would make the people who didn’t belong here pack up and go away.

  Oh. Rabbit.

  He spun about, Stirling’s scent left behind, his stomach’s urges stronger. The trail was so fresh for his prey, so easy to follow, and he plunged into the trees again.

  Rabbit. Rabbit. Rabbit. He caught the movement and stilled, teeth bared. He would have to be fast. His whole body tensed, quivering, waiting for the right moment.

  When the rabbit stopped, nose twitching, ears vibrating, he leaped, snapping its neck with one bite.

  Yes!

  His first successful hunt. The rabbit tasted like copper and dirt, but he didn’t mind a bit. It was perfect.

  He barked happily, calling for Stirling. Look! Food! Pack!

  In just under a minute, a big pale wolf padded into the brush, head down, sniffing. Careful.

  Stirling.

  He barked again, bowing, tickled. Food!

  Stirling sniffed the air before advancing, nose nudging his kill. Then Stirling licked his muzzle, all approval.

  He snapped open the carcass, his instincts insisting that Stirling be offered the innards, the heart. So that was what he did; he nosed over the heart, still so hot. Stirling snapped it up, then stood back to let him have the rest.

  Tanner ate—it was the best meal he’d ever had. Ever.

  His kill. He wanted to howl, but when he tipped his head back, Stirling took him by the throat, shaking him a little. The No was loud and clear.

  He growled softly, more in question than argument. He’d done well, damn it.

  Stirling gave him praise, vocal and physical, but held his ground. There had to be a reason.

  Tanner sighed, stomped his paws a little, then went to wandering again, following his nose. He was investigating something rotten at the base of a tree when Stirling bit his butt.

  Hard.

  He yelped and spun around, barking. Ow! That was his butt!

  Jumping back, Stirling chuffed and danced, eyes sparkling, tail like a flag.

  He crouched down, wiggling, body ready to spring. Stirling was still, head down a little, watching him.

  He wanted to wait Stirling out. He did. So bad, but….

  But he couldn’t.

  Not at all.

  He pounced with a happy sound, aiming for Stirling’s ruff. He latched on, got a good hold on Stirling, and started shaking his head.

  Stirling barked and rolled, taking him down and slamming him into the leaves. His breath left him through a grunt, his body stunned for a moment. Then he shook it off, his paws scrabbling at Stirling’s chest.

  Stirling rolled him over, teeth on his throat. He panicked for a second, battering at Stirling, trying to get up. A low breath of sound eased him, though, Stirling telling him this wasn’t aggression. This was just the way it was.

  His body relaxed, heart slowing as he panted.

  Stirling rocked him side to side a little before springing back and letting him up. Shaking like he was wet, Stirling barked softly before turning back toward the house.

  He stretched, snapped at a snowflake that tried to land on his nose, then followed Stirling’s flag of a tail. They took the long way back, giving him a chance to wander, to experience smells and tastes.

  When they got back to Stirling’s house, he sat, sniffed, pondered whether he wanted inside.

  Stirling barked at him, giving him an order. In. Now.

  He growled softly, more at himself, at his body, which moved, than at Stirling. Stirling seemed to understand, though, nudging him through the dog door, giving him a gentle lick in praise.

  He plopped down on the floor and set to licking his paws clean.

  Stirling moved close, curling up against his side. Oh, that was nice. Warm.

  Tanner leaned his head over, grooming Stirling’s muzzle, one ear. It was instinct, and one he couldn’t control if he wanted to. Good thing he wasn’t inclined to stop.

  Soon they were boneless, Stirling was snoring, and Tanner’s eyelids were heavy. Things were good.

  Damn good.

  He sure never thought he’d ever say that about coming home.

  STIRLING YAWNED, sighed, feeling damned good in his bones. He was bruised and scratched a little, and a lot naked, but he was happier than he’d been in an age.

  Tanner was curled up on the floor, ass in the air, hands clasped over his head as he snored.

  What a good wolf. Stirling grinned, an irresistible urge taking him over. He leaned over the side of the bed and smacked Tanner’s ass.

  “Fuck!” The word came out more a bark than anything as Tanner spun around, snapping. Oh, that was hot.

  Look at that instinct. Such a good wolf now that it was out and proud.

  Tanner stared at him, lips open, panting, the beast right there at the surface and challenging him. Stirling lowered himself a little, getting in Tanner’s face, demanding the man back down. The tension grew, stretched almost to the breaking point. He rumbled softly, blew air out his lips, and Tanner’s eyes cut away.

  Yeah. Good. That was good. He murmured praise, kissing Tanner’s ear.

  Tanner shivered, sliding closer, moving toward him, and he hauled his pup onto the bed with a grunt.

  Stirling took a kiss, lips pressing against Tanner’s. He opened up that hot mouth and pushed in with his tongue, demanding a response.

  His.

  The word echoed inside him and he snarled, teeth nipping at Tanner’s lips as they opened for him. He held Tanner down, humping a little, stealing Tanner’s breath with kiss after kiss.

  Long fingers tangled in his hair, tugging at him and pulling him closer. Demanding butthead. He growled a little more, giving them both what they needed. He moved down to bite at Tanner’s throat, scraping the skin, marking. Stirling bit deep, needing Tanner to understand, to know what it meant to be owned.

  Tanner yelped, jerked, and went stiff underneath him, fingers digging into his shoulders. It wasn’t protest, though. Tanner’s cock was hard as nails again
st Stirling’s belly. He shook Tanner, growling deep, nails threatening his pup’s soft belly. Tanner had to relax, to let Stirling take.

  A low sound escaped Tanner, the noise caught between wolf and man. It was possibly the sexiest thing he’d ever heard. He bit again, then licked to ease the sting.

  When Tanner’s hand found the back of his head, drew him in closer, Stirling damn near blew his load. He held on by gritting his teeth, before he slid down to bite at Tanner’s nipple.

  “Fuck.” Tanner snapped, body jerking away before pressing closer, pushing that little bit of flesh into his teeth.

  “Mmm-hmm.” Stirling loved that. He loved how the nipple drew up hard, how Tanner shuddered.

  He alternated stinging bites with soft, sucking kisses, slaps of his tongue. Tanner was crazed underneath him, growling his name, cock leaving wet trails on his belly. It was heady, the power to make Tanner whine and buck, and he was probably abusing it, but Stirling didn’t care. He wanted Tanner wild for him, hungry and spread and desperate.

  Moving across that fine skin, Stirling switched nipples, biting the other one. A sharp bark answered the bite, Tanner wrapping around him, hips jerking restlessly.

  “I got you, babe.” He did. He wouldn’t leave the man hanging.

  “Fucking need you.”

  “What do you want, babe?” He bit down again. Yeah. He wanted Tanner to ask.

  “You. Fuck me. Hard. Now.” That was definite.

  “Oh God.” He grunted, scrambling up and pulling Tanner’s legs up over his shoulders. “Gonna get you wet, babe. Get you wet.”

  “Please….” Fuck, look at that—stretched and needy, writhing for him, Tanner was enough to make a man pant.

  Stirling bent, got his fingers wet, and pressed against Tanner’s hole, opening it a bit. Then he started working that hot flesh with his lips and tongue.

  Tanner’s howl split the air, the lean body arching like a taut bowstring. How could this man be so lost, so frantic for touch? He’d lived in the queer capital of the frickin’ country. It made Stirling crazy, thinking of Tanner being alone, lonely. Though Tanner was his, and he’d kill anyone who touched him.

  The scent and flavor of his mate flooded him and he licked, fucking that tight little hole. He wanted to make sure Tanner was wet and open, wanted to be able to rut.

  “Yes. Yes, fuck. Please.” Tanner’s nails scraped along his thighs.

  “Mmm-hmm.” He rose up, his belly like rock, his cock so hard it hurt.

  Tanner’s eyes were on him, on his cock, sharp, focused, like a laser. Then Tanner licked his lips. “Now. Now. I need it.”

  “In.” Now. He needed inside, more than he needed to breathe. Stirling nudged between Tanner’s legs, lining up.

  “Yes.” Tanner bore right down, took him in one motion, down to the root.

  He stilled a moment, his breath catching in his chest. Then he surged forward, driving into Tanner over and over. Perfect. Fucking perfect. Tanner’s body held him tight, gripping all along his length. It was hot. Fiery hot. God, he loved this.

  The scent of pure male need filled the room, flooded his nose, made him bite the air. Then he figured he might as well bite Tanner instead. That was way more productive. Tanner yelped, the ass muscles around him jerking wildly. Someone liked that. A lot.

  Stirling moved faster, his balls pulling up, his breath coming hard and quick. Tanner was right with him, yelping his name, fingers grabbing his arms. They slid together, both of them starting to pant, both of them grunting, working. Christ. Stirling thought he might just pass out.

  Tanner’s nails dug in his skin. “Touch me. My cock. Come on.”

  The tiny sting made him a little crazy. Stirling reached down, pressing between them to stroke Tanner’s cock. That was all it took—one touch and Tanner’s body clenched on his cock; spunk sprayed between them, hitting Tanner’s belly, chest.

  “Fuck!” His head snapped back, and Stirling gritted his teeth against the howl that tried to come out. He came hard, his body shuddering with every little shock of his orgasm.

  Tanner melted down into the sheets, blinking slow, all boneless.

  “Better, babe?” He was, for sure. In fact, it was impossible not to feel euphoric.

  “Uhn.” He was fairly sure that was a yes.

  Laughing, he patted Tanner’s hip, which was within reach. “Me too.”

  “Good.” Tanner had the goofiest postorgasm face ever. It made him smile.

  “You up for another nap?” He could maybe get up, make a few calls, do some work.

  “I don’t do anything but chase your tail and sleep.” Tanner nibbled his chin.

  “You’ll get better at it all.” The change took a lot out of a man. Made him horny too.

  “I hope so.” Tanner settled, hummed softly.

  “You will.” Stirling might not have any idea what they were going to do about anything else, but he did know that much.

  He patted Tanner’s ass, covered the already snoozing man with a light blanket.

  Time to get back to work. They really needed to figure out what the hell to do with all those reporters. Before the full moon.

  HE BATTED at the familiar back door, paws scraping.

  Mom.

  Mom.

  Let me inside.

  He’d been exploring, and then he’d found this scent, this amazing familiar scent, and it had led him here. Home. To the house he’d grown up in.

  Mom.

  The door opened, almost knocking him down, his mom looking out over top of him to begin with. Then down at him with wide eyes.

  Mom! He bounced, claws tickling on the back porch. Mom, look!

  She stepped back, hand going to her mouth. “Tanner?”

  He pushed his way in, rubbing against her leg. I did it, Mom. I changed.

  “Oh my God.” She plopped down on the floor with him, loving on his neck and ears.

  She smelled like everything good in the world, like home and happiness and warmth. Tanner licked her jaw, her wrist.

  “Oh, baby boy. Stirling told me, but I half didn’t believe.”

  It took a long, long time—and he’d admit he didn’t try very hard—before he lost his fur, was in her lap on the sofa, covered in a blanket. “Mom.”

  She hugged him close, tears streaming down her face. “Oh, baby. I was so worried.”

  He hugged her tight, rocked her a little bit. “I did it, Mom. I swear, it worked.”

  “I know. I was just scared for you. When they came, they said you were hurt. Dead, maybe. Look at you!” She looked so proud, her face all smiles.

  “I know. I wanted to come, but Stirling was a turd.” He felt like a kid, almost. “I missed you, Mom.”

  “I missed you too. I know you had to go, but it was hard.” She laughed, sounding like she had when he was a boy.

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen with the house, with everything. I don’t know how to go back.”

  “You can’t go back.” Now she sobered. “They would never leave you alone.”

  “But… I have a house there. A life.”

  “They don’t know that, son. They think you died. There was blood, mess—you panicked.”

  “I didn’t…. Did I hurt anyone?” Oh God.

  “No, baby.” She stroked his hair, humming for a moment, the sound so comforting and familiar.

  “Good. Good.” He rested, smiled at her. “Love you, huh?”

  “I love you too. We’ll figure this all out.” His mom had a way of making it sound easy. He guessed that was a mom thing.

  “Yeah. We will. Mom?” He bit his lip, looked up at her.

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “Can you make me mashed potatoes? Your mashed potatoes?”

  “WHAT’S ALL the buzz?” Stirling jerked his head toward the center of town, where all the crazy outsiders hanging around had gathered at their tiny weekly newspaper’s office. If anyone knew what was what, Marnie would know.

  “Oh God. I didn’t tell you?
Some reporter was hiding near that poor woman who lost her son—Lucy Ruddle? He snapped a fuzzy picture of some… hairy guy, and it’s like big news. I mean, seriously, it looks fake.”

  “No shit?” He raised a brow, trying to look casual, even though his heart was racing.

  “I know, really? Bothering that poor old woman when her son’s missing.”

  “Yeah.” Lucy wasn’t that old. “I’ll be in the back.” He had to call Lucy and see what was going on.

  “Sure. You want coffee from the Drip?”

  “I do. Thanks.” He gave her a thumbs-up before escaping and dialing Lucy on his cell.

  “Stirling!” Lucy sounded like a girl, so happy, so young.

  “Hey, lady.” He had a sinking feeling he knew where Tanner was, and it wasn’t at Stirling’s cabin where he was damned well supposed to be. “Is Tanner with you?”

  “He is. He came here earlier. He’s sleeping in front of the fire, all furry. I made him mashed potatoes.”

  “He still there?” White-hot anger rose in his chest. He’d told Tanner to stay put.

  “Yes. He’s right here.”

  “Oh, good. Could I talk to him a moment?” He was going to rip the man a new asshole.

  “Uh. He’s fuzzy, Stirling.”

  “Oh. Well, the buzz, and I do mean buzz, here in town is that he wasn’t earlier.”

  “What? In town? He hasn’t gone outside.”

  “No, but they’ve been lurking around your house. I need you to do something for me.”

  “Anything, Stirling.”

  He looked out the window at the swarm of asshats filling his town. His teeth were grinding in the back. “Keep him away from the windows and don’t let him outside. I’ll come for him tonight. Expect me in my other form.”

  “I’ll make stew.”

  “Sure.” Ah, she was such a mom. “I’ll be there after dark, okay?”

  “I’ll leave the coal door open for you.”

  “That works. See you later, Lucy.” He waited for her murmured goodbye before he hung up. Then he headed out to check out this supposed picture of Tanner.

  He grabbed the newspaper off Marnie’s desk. There was hair, one muscled arm, a blanket. Lucky fuck. If there had been a clear image….